Split body housing for writing instruments

ABSTRACT

This invention pertains to a split body housing for mechanical pencils, ball point, marker and cartridge pens and like instruments. This housing includes a unit frame having front and rear mounting rings which are rigidly retained in position by fixedly secured longitudinal struts. Outer shell members are snapped in place or by other means are secured to the frame to close the open sides of the frame. These outer shell members either have a decorative desired motif or are adapted to receive and retain an inlay having the desired motif.

United States Patent 11 1 [111 3,876,315 Hain [451 Apr. 8, 1975 [54]SPLIT BODY HOUSING FOR WRITING 3.394.480 7/1968 Russel 40/334 XINSTRUMENTS {76] Inventor: Robert W. Hain, 258 Highwood Rd,Mountainside, NJ. 07092 [22] Filed: Feb. 13, 1974 [21] Appl. No.:442,120

[52] US. Cl 401/292; 401/209 [51] Int. C1 843k 7/00 1581 Field of Search401/195 292, 88, 221,

[56] References Cited UN1TED STATES PATENTS 2,264,452 12/1941Poulantonio 30/164 1268.058 12/1941 Poalantonio 1 1 1 30/164 3.250.0335/1966 Siegel 401/195 X Primary- E.raminerLawrence Charles Atturnev,Agent, or Firm-Ra1ph R. Roberts [5 71 ABSTRACT This invention pertainsto a split body housing for mechanical pencils, ball point, marker andcartridge pens and like instruments. This housing includes a unit framehaving front and rear mounting rings which are rigidly retained inposition by fixedly secured longitudinal struts. Outer she11 members aresnapped in place or by other means are secured to the frame to close theopen sides of the frame. These outer shell members either have adecorative desired motif or are adapted to receive and retain an inlayhaving the desired motif.

10 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures SPLIT BODY HOUSING FOR WRITING INSTRUMENTSBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention With reference tothe classification of art as established in the United States PatentOffice the present invention pertains to the general Class entitled,Coating Implements with Material Supply" (Class 401) and the subclasstherein entitled, solid material for rubbing contact or support thereforincluding holder" (subclass 88). Other pertinent subclasses include thesubclass identified as expendable sheath" (subclass 96) or the subclassidentified as including ball, roller or endless belt tool ball"(subclass 209). Nib-type pens which may be used with the frame are foundin the subclass entitled, bifurcated pointed nib tool" (subclass 221).

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Although writing instruments are made on amass production scale and are sold yearly in the many millions of units,there have been only minor modifications to the original basic housingunits provided for said instruments. The mechanical pencil, the fountainpen, ball point pen and porous tipped pens and markers are all wellknown and have been for many years. However, each instrument is usuallydistinctive as to its housing structure and characteristic. The presentinvention pertains to a body structure which may be typically providedfor housing any of several types of writing devices.

All prior art devices. insofar as is known, have had an outer tubularhousing which is distinctive of and for only that unit, Matched pen andpencil sets although decoratively similar usually are constructed eachwith its own frame as to size, tubular constructions, etc. The presentinvention pertains to a common frame on which decorative trim is mountedin the form of shells. Front and rear mounting rings are provided oneach frame and permit the selective mounting of functional units ofamechanical pencil mechanism or the components of one of the several pensystems in which an ink reservoir is used.

Prior attempts to provide decorative overlays are shown in many U.S.Patents among which is US Pat. No. 708,964 to HOLZWORTH as issued onSept. 9, 1902 and U.S. Pat. No. 394,146 to TYRRELL as issued on Dec. 4,I888. The gluing together of two outer shells to encase a common core isseen in many lead pencil making patents as exemplified in U.S. Pat. No.2,1 l6,l 87 to CHESLER as issued on May 3, I938 and U.S. Pat. No.551,288 as issued to KAISER on Dec. 10, I895. Screw on or telescopingbarrel members are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,328,l43 to HANLE as issuedon Aug. 31, 1943 and U.S. Pat. No. 1,827,6l9 to SCHROEDER etal as issuedon Oct. 13, l93l. Replaceable writing ends are shown in U.S. Pat. No.2,979,030 to HARRINGTON as issued on Aug. 11, I96].

Although issued patents show continued improvements in the concept ofthe writing mechanism or new methods of fluid flow in the writinginstrument, improvements in the housing itself have been practicallynonexistant for at least the last half century except for thesubstitution of materials and methods of forming such materials. Thepresent invention provides an improvement in the housing and decorativeoptions for use on and with this housing. In this invention a frame isprovided to which and on which shell members are mounted. This frame hasfront and rear mounting rings into which the several writing systems maybe selectively mounted. Insofar as is known, a housing system using thesplit body, to be hereinafter more fully de scribed, is new and noveland, insofar as is known, provides many advantages including economies,wide latitude in selective design and ready replacement of mechanicalcomponents or ink supplies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention may be summarized at least inpart with reference to its objects.

It is an object of this invention to provide, and it does provide, asplit body housing for writing instruments such as pens, mechanicalpencils and the like. This housing provides means for selective andinterchangeable mounting of writing components and, at the same time,attachable outer cover members enabling a selection to be made in theappearance of the product.

It is a further object of this invention to provide, and it doesprovide, a split body housing having a base frame which includes a pairof longitudinal outer ribs or struts which are rigidly attached to frontand rear end rings. Shell-like outer members are secured to this bodyhousing either by snap-in arrangements, adhesive or the like and when inplace, with the ribs provide the outer cover. The writing componentmechanism and/or members are preferably removably mounted in the frame.

The split body housing of this invention includes a main frame which hasfront and rear ring-like mounting members. These rings are connected toeach other by parallel side rails or struts on which are mounted overmembers of selected configurations and designs. The writing mechanism ismounted and retained in the ring like end mounting members. The frameand cover portions used with the frame may be of a cast or molded metalor alternatively of a plastic. The cover components are preferably ofsheet metal, plastic, combinations thereof, or various laminates onmetal and plastic such as vinyl, wood, fired enamel, gold, silver, etc.

In addition to the above summary the following disclosure in detailed toinsure adequacy and aid in understanding of the invention. Thisdisclosure, however, is not intended to prejudice that purpose of apatent which is to cover each new inventive concept therein no matterhow it may later be disguised by variations in form or additions offurther improvements. For this reason there has been chosen a specificembodiment of the split body housing for writing instruments as adoptedfor use with pens and mechanical pencils and showing four means ofsecuring cover shells to a common frame. These embodiments have beenchosen for the purpose of illustration and description as shown in theaccompanying drawings wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 represents a partially explodedisometric and diagrammatic view of a split body housing frame, a pair ofcovering members as used with the frame and portions of writingmechanism components which are usually mounted in the frame.

FIG. 2 represents a side view of the body frame of FIG. I;

FIG. 3 represents a plan view of the body frame of FIG. 2, this viewtaken on the line 33 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of thearrows;

FIG. 4 represents an end view of the body frame of FIG. 2, this viewtaken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of thearrows;

FIG. 5 represents a sectional side view, partly diagrammatic and in aslightly enlarged scale and showing a general representation of thecomponents of a ball point pen mounted within the frame of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 represents a transverse sectional view in a yet further enlargedscale and showing the longitudinal struts of the housing of FIGS. 2 or 5and one method of securing the cover members to the housing frame;

FIG. 7 represents a fragmentary exploded isometric end view depictingthe cover components of FIG. 6 before assembly and mounting in a frame;

FIG. 8 represents a fragmentary exploded isometric end view of analternate frame and the cover members having attaching tabs for securingto the contoured struts of the frame;

FIG. 9 represents in a greatly enlarged scale the frame strut of FIG. 8and portions of the attached cover members as mounted thereto, and

FIG. 10 represents a fragmentary exploded isometric end view of a framewith yet another set of cover members depicting an alternate method ofmounting the cover members to the frame.

In the following description and in the claims various details areidentified by specific names for convenience; these names, however, areintended to be generic in their application. Corresponding referencecharacters refer to like members throughout the several figures of thedrawings.

The drawings accompanying, and forming part of, this specificationdisclose details of construction for the purpose of explanation but itshould be understood that these structural details may be modified andthat the invention may incorporate structural forms other than thoseshown.

SPLIT BODY HOUSING AND COVER OF FIGS. 1-4

Referring now in particular to the drawings, there is depicted in theFIGS. l4, a preferred split body housing frame generally identified as20. This main frame includes a front mounting ring 22 and a rearmounting ring 24 which are connected by and maintained in a fixedrelationship to each other by struts 26 and 28. These struts and thefront and rear mounting rings are preferably made as a one-piece diecasting of an inexpensive metal. Such a casting provides the rigidityand also the reduced cost desirable to provide a frame wherein qualitycontrol and close tolerances may be established and easily maintained.It is also, of course, to be noted that certain plastics may be used forframe 20. These plastics usually are high density, high structuralstrength material such as Lexan" (Trademark of General Electric) orsimilar compositions having the de sired strength and rigidityqualities.

As seen in FIG. 4, the end rings 22 and 24 which are of likeconfigurations are depicted as oval in shape. To provide mounting ofcomponents of the writing mechanisms in this frame there is provided inboth front and rear end rings 22 and 24 a shouldered recess 30 whichpreferably is made with a like configuration and size so that end-to-endorientation of the frame is not required. As depicted in FIG. I, thefront end member 32 which may be used with either a pen or pencil apparatus is a press fit in the end ring 22 and the formed recess 30. Alsodepicted is a rear end member 34 which may be one of the components of aball point pen such as is more fully described and seen in connectionwith FIG. 5. It is to be noted, however, that both the front and rearmembers 32 and 34 have a shoulder formed thereon so that the memberswhen mounted into a ring 22 or 24 are slidable into the aperture in therings until the outer larger diameter engages the ring. These componentsconventionally mate and provide a smooth fit with the frame andappearance-wise mate with the end rings 22 and 24. This matching,configuration, etc. is, of course, a matter of design and selection.

For the convenience of identification cover members 38 and 40 aresnap-on covers which may be attached to the ribs 26 and 28 by means of asnap-on fit, by an adhesive or by any other attaching means. Preferredattaching means are disclosed and described in detail in relation toFIGS. 6-10 to be hereinafter more fully described.

EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 5

Referring now in particular to FIG. 5 and the details shown therein, itis to be noted that frame 20 with its front and rear rings 22 and 24carries between the struts 26 and 28 the components ofa ball point pen.As seen, the from member 32 is a tubular member having a flange portion44 which is preferably elliptical in shape and is a snug fit in therecess groove 30 in the forward member 22. This particular front memberis recessed and adapted to receive a spring 46 and the forward tubularportion 48 of a ball point pen. The ink supply portion of the ball pointpen is identified as S0 and is adapted for mounting between the struts26 and 28. At the rear end of this fluid compartment is a conventionalrachet apparatus 52 and the extending rear plunger button 54conventionally found in a ball point pen. In recess groove 30 in endring 24 may be mounted a plastic or metal sleeve bearing which alsoprovides a closure guide and probably a decorative accent.

Or course, other apparatus may be utilized in this housing, for example,a felt or fiber-type pen may be provided and mounted in ring 22. Amechanical pencil apparatus or any of the other components of a writinginstrument may be adapted for fitting within the confines of the splitbody housing. In general, it is anticipated that a distance of aboutfive inches will be provided between the front and rear rings 22 and 24which provides ample room for the mounting therein of an ink supply 50,the push button and any and all mechanical components that are requiredwithin the body housing. Between the front and rear rings 22 and 24 ismounted the decorative cover portion of the split body housing. Typicalcover mounting arrangements are depicted in FIGS. 6-10 in which threeembodiments are illustrated.

SHELL ASSEMBLY AS SEEN IN FIGS. 6 AND 7 As seen in FIGS. 6 and 7 a shellassembly for mounting on and between the side struts 26 and 28 utilizesan elliptical tubular portion 60 which has a pair of like Ion gitudinalgrooves 61 formed in opposed portions of its sides. This thin ellipticaltube 60 is made of a material (ie., metal or plastic) which issufficiently resilient to allow the side portions to be displacedslightly inwardly to allow the tubular portion to be passed abouthalfway into the space between the struts and then released to snap ontothe longitudinal struts 26 and 28 of the frame 20. In position thelongitudinal grooves 61 engage and seat on struts 26 and 28. In thisembodiment it is anticipated that the outer shells 62 will be of likeconfiguration and constructed of plastic or decorative metal and adaptedto snugly engage the shell 60 in its mounted condition. These shellmembers 62 in this particular embodiment are attached to the tubularportion 60 by means of an adhesive.

In this arrangement it is anticipated that the frame 20, prior to themounting therein of the interior compo nents of the writing mechanism,will have the tubular portion 60 mounted to the struts. The half shells62 may be attached to member 60 prior to its mounting in the frame whenboth shells and the tubular portion 60 are slightly resilient enablingthe decorated member 60 to be pushed into position. The assembledcombination of member 60 and shells 62 are deflected slightly inwardlyto permit this assembly to be snaped into position on the struts 26 and28. Adhesive may be applied ifdesired but it is anticipated that thiswill not normally be done in order to permit the ready replacement orrepair of the cover if and when desired. This frame and base shell ortube 60 is particularly adapted to receive half shells 62 which maycarry advertising or personalized identification. This identificationmay be applied at the point of sale. One or both ofthe half shells 62 tobe applied at the point of sale have means for the shell to be snappedonto the longitudinal struts 26 and 28 for concealment by such saidstruts.

BODY HOUSING AND SHELL ASSEMBLY OF FIGS. 8 AND 9 In FIGS. 8 and 9 isshown an alternate method of forming the frame and the half shell coversfor attachment thereto. In this particular embodiment longitudinalstruts I26 and 128 are molded or otherwise formed with a series ofnotches 66. The half shells to be mounted on this frame are preferablyof metal or plastic. Upper half shell 68 is formed with a shelf 70 andan interior depending skirt 72. In shelf 70 is formed cutouts 74 adaptedto receive cooperatively formed and positioned tab portions of a lowerhalf shell 78. Upwardly extending angle tabs 80 are attached to thislower shell 78. These tabs are bent inwardly at 82 and upwardly at 84.They are then bent again at 86 to form a retaining lip. After beingpushed through the openings 74 provided in shelf 70 of the upper shell68 the lip members 86 retain the offset portions of the upper and lowershells in a snug engagement around the strut 126. If desired, thebending of the tab 80 of lower shell 78 and assembly to shell 68 is madeso the assembled shells may be snapped into position. When fullyassembled between struts 126 and 128 the lower shell 78 is positionedwith the tabs aligned with the notches 66. As shell 78 is moveddownwardly the tabs 80 move in slots 74 until inwardly turned portion 82passes the bottom edge of strut 126 after which the tabs spring intoretaining position.

An alternate method of assembly allows shell 78 to be mounted inposition on the strut. Shell 68 with the shelf 70 pushed inwardlysufficiently to allow tabs 86 to pass through apertures 74 is thenadvanced so as to seat on strut 126 after which it is allowed to springoutwardly. The method of assembly is merely a matter of selection as theopen end of the end rings 22, after the shells are brought intoalignment, permit turning and- /or bending tools to be passed throughthese openings to secure the tabs and the shell members in mountedcondition on the struts.

SHELL ASSEMBLY OF FIG. I0

Referring next and finally to FIG. 10, it is to be noted that in thisembodiment is provided a modification of the shells 68 and 78 of FIG. 8.As depicted, upper shell 90 has U-shaped tabs 92 provided on bothlongitudinal edges of the shell and adapted for snapping onto the innersurface of strut members 26 and 28. In a like manner, but in an offsetcondition from the upper shell. lower shell 94 is also provided withengaging tab members 96 which are positioned so as to engage thelongitudinal struts 26 and 28 at portions other than where tab members92 engage the struts.

USE AND OPERATION In the several embodiments above-described there hasbeen emphasized the basic concept of a slip body housing having a mainbody frame which is common for all writing implements. Although the endmembers of this body frame are depicted as elliptical and other desiredconfiguration may be provided. for example, round or hexagonal orcombination configurations thereof. There is no limit as to theconfigurations and the eventual outside design is whatever is desired.Each forward end ring is formed with a receiving portion into which ispressed the forward end of the writing implement. This may be a tubularmember providing a sliding guide for a ball point pen or may be theforward portion ofa felt or porous tipped pen. It is also contemplatedthat the nib portion of a fountain pen may be retained by the forwardend ring of the frame and as a fountain pen a slide-on cap, not shown.is supplied.

The forward portion ofa mechanical pencil which is a mate to the pen ofa matched set is also mounted in the forward ring of the frame with thepropelling mech anism having a portion which extends slightly beyond therear end ring member of the main frame. If the frame is to carry a ballpoint pen the push button por tion as in FIG. 5 extends beyond the rearend ring. The novelty of this invention lies in providing a frame whichmay be mass produced while providing individuality. The internalcomponents are selected to provide a ball point pen, a felt or poroustipped pen or a fountain pen as well as a mechanical pencil. Thedecorative trim is then selected in accordance with the product to besold. This inlay or the outer cover half shells may be made of plastic,metal or combinations of both. They may be mounted at the factorythrough mass production techniques or the half shells may be sent to thedealer for selected installation at the point of sale. The half shellsare conventionally formed, stamped or bent from sheet metal or plastic.This is in contrast to the drawing and shaping of tubing as in the caseof many presently known writing instruments. The high cost of tubing andthe applying of an outer decorative cover thereto is, of course, greatlyreduced in the present invention where the cover shells are snapped intoplace and retained in place by glue, by bias tension or by notchedfittings of parts. The bias tension provided with the half shells adds agreat versatility and utility dimension to this present invention.

Terms such as left", right, up+, down", bottom", top, front", back, in.out" and the like are applicable to the embodiments shown and describedin conjunction with the drawings. These terms are merely for thepurposes of description and do not necessarily apply to the position inwhich the split body housing and cover members to be used therewith maybe constructed or used.

While a particular embodiment of the frame of the housing and severalembodiments of the shell members as used therewith have been shown anddescribed it is to be understood that modifications may be made withinthe scope of the accompanying claims and protection is sought to thebroadest extent the prior art allows.

What is claimed is:

l. A split body housing for writing instruments such as mechanicalpencils, ball point. marker and cartridge pens, the body housingincluding: (a) a unit frame having from and rear mounting rings rigidlyretained in position by longitudinal struts extending from one ring tothe other; (b) a through aperture formed in at least the front mountingring. said aperture configured so as to provide means for mountingtherein a front extending member of the writing instrument mechanism tobe mounted in the frame, and (c) at least one shell member adapted formounting on the frame, said shell mem her having means for retainingengagement with the struts. said means engaging the strut so as tosecure the shell member to and on the struts to provide a tubularclosure of the open sides of the frame and when in mounted conditionsaid securing means is substantially concealed.

2. A split body housing for writing instruments as in claim 1 in whichthe rear mounting ring also has a through aperture.

3. A split body housing for writing instruments as in claim 2 in whichthe through apertures are of like size and there is formed in eachmounting ring an outwardly facing annual recess sized to provide areceiving and retaining means for complementarily shaped components ofthe writing mechanism to be mounted therein.

4. A split body housing for writing instruments as in claim I in whichthe struts are a like pair and are diametrically opposed on the frameand the shell member comprises a pair of like shells each of which isformed so as to be snapped into place on the longitudinal extents of thestruts and disposed to extend between the front and rear mounting rings.

5. A split body housing for writing instruments as in claim 1 in whichthe struts are a like pair and are diametrically opposed on longitudinalsides of the frame and the shell member includes a thin tube having apair of longitudinal grooves formed in opposed portions of its sides,said thin tubular shell member made of a material sufficiently stiff toprovide a spring bias and to allow the side portions to be disposedinwardly so that the shell member is passed sufficiently inwardly andbetween the struts to allow alignment of the grooves with the struts andthen the thin tubular shell member is released with the groove portionsmoving into seated en gagement with the struts.

6. A split body housing for writing instruments as in claim 5 in whichadditional shell members having the desired decorative motif are mountedto the struts and to the tubular shell member.

7. A split body housing for writing instruments as in claim 1 in whichthe struts are a like pair and are diametrically opposed on the frameand in which the struts are formed with notches and in which two halfshells provide the shell member, the half shells having tab portionswhich are shaped and sized so as to engage and seat in the notches inthe strut when the shells are brought into a mounted condition.

8. A split body housing for writing instruments as in claim 7 in whichthe half shells are additionally formed with mating tabs and cutoutspermitting alignment and engagement of the half shells to each other inaddition to the engagement with the struts.

9. A split body housing for writing instruments as in claim 1 in whichthe struts are a like pair and are diametrically opposed on the frameand in which two half shells provide the shell member. each half shellhaving U-shaped tab members each adapted to engage one of the struts atportions of its inner surface, the half shells being made of a materialwhich has a stiffness such as to provide a spring bias and permitsnapping the tab members of the shell halves into mounted and biasedengagement on the inner surfaces of the struts.

10. A split body housing for writing instruments as in claim 9 in whichsome of the tabs are formed with apertures adapted to receive and retaintab portions formed on the other of the half shell member.

1. A split body housing for writing instruments such as mechanical pencils, ball point, marker and cartridge pens, the body housing including: (a) a unit frame having front and rear mounting rings rigidly retained in position by longitudinal struts extending from one ring to the other; (b) a through aperture formed in at least the front mounting ring, said aperture configured so as to provide means for mounting therein a front extending member of the writing instrument mechanism to be mounted in the frame, and (c) at least one shell member adapted for mounting on the frame, said shell member having means for retaining engagement with the struts, said means engaging the strut so as to secure the shell member to and on the struts to provide a tubular closure of the open sides of the frame and when in mounted condition said securing means is substantially concealed.
 2. A split body housing for writing instruments as in claim 1 in which the rear mounting ring also has a through aperture.
 3. A split body housing for writing instruments as in claim 2 in which the through apertures are of like size and there is formed in each mounting ring an outwardly facing annual recess sized to provide a receiving and retaining means for complementarily shaped components of the writing mechanism to be mounted therein.
 4. A split body housing for writing instruments as in claim 1 in which the struts are a like pair and are diametrically opposed on the frame and the shell member comprises a pair of like shells each of which is formed so as to be snapped into place on the longitudinal extents of the struts and disposed to extend between the front and rear mounting rings.
 5. A split body housing for writing instruments as in claim 1 in which the struts are a like pair and are diametrically opposed on longitudinal sides of the frame and the shell member includes a thin tube having a pair of longitudinal grooves formed in opposed portions of its sides, said thin tubular shell member made of a material sufficiently stiff to provide a spring bias and to allow the side portions to be disposed inwardly so that the shell member is passed sufficiently inwardly and between the struts to allow alignment of the grooves with the struts and then the thin tubular shell member is released with the groove portions moving into seated engagement with the struts.
 6. A split body housing for writing instruments as in claim 5 in which additional shell members having the desired decorative motif are mounted to the struts and to the tubular shell member.
 7. A split body housing for writing instruments as in claim 1 in which the struts are a like pair and are diametrically opposed on the frame and in which the struts are formed with notches and in which two half shells provide the shell member, the half shells having tab portions which are shaped and sized so as to engage and seat in the notches in the strut when the shells are brought into a mounted condition.
 8. A split body housing for writing instruments as in claim 7 in which the half shells are additionally formed with mating tabs and cutouts permitting alignment and engagement of the half shells to each other in addition to the engagement with the struts.
 9. A split body housing for writing instruments as in claim 1 in which the struts are a like pair and are diametrically opposed on the frame and in which two half shells provide the shell member, each half shell having U-shaped tab members each adapted to engage one of the struts at portions of its inner surface, the half shells being made of a material which has a stiffness such as to provide a spring bias and permit snapping the tab members of the shell halves into mounted and biased engagement on the inner surfaces of the struts.
 10. A split body housing for writing instruments as in claim 9 in which some of the tabs are formed with apertures adapted to receive and retain tab portions formed on the other of the half shell member. 